WRITER: Conner Becker

Free State softball ends season with hard-fought 9-1 loss to undefeated Olathe Northwest

A six-run sixth inning doomed the No. 8-seed Free State softball team 9-1 against top-seeded Olathe Northwest in the state quarterfinal on Thursday at Arrocha Ballpark in Lawrence. Free State (10-13) ended its season leaning on starter Elsa Carrillo, who posted a big afternoon pitching six complete innings with 12 total strikeouts. She kept the Firebirds within two runs of the Ravens (23-0) up until a pivotal ...

Free State routs SM East 10-0 in just six innings, advances to state semifinal

It was smooth sailing for the No. 3-seeded Free State baseball team in a 10-0 win over 6-seed Shawnee Mission East in the state quarterfinal on Thursday night at Hoglund Ballpark. Free State (17-6) will now meet Blue Valley West in the state semifinal on Friday for a chance at the state title game. Free State starting pitcher Kyle Graves secured the shutout victory over the Lancers (14-9) through six complete ...

Several KU hoops legends returning for 15th annual Roundball Classic

Devonte’ Graham, Udoka Azubuike, Wayne Selden, Tyshawn Taylor and a host of other Kansas basketball greats will be in town next month for the Rock Chalk Roundball Classic, the annual charity event that raises money for kids fighting pediatric cancer. The Roundball Classic, now in its 15th year is scheduled for June 8-10. It tips off with a charity basketball game featuring notable former Jayhawks at 7 p.m. ...

Free State baseball, softball eyeing lengthy runs at state

It’s only natural the Free State baseball team is included in the Class 6A state championship, as the tournament returns to Lawrence for the first time since 2019. The No. 3 seed Firebirds (16-6) are set to meet No. 6 seed Shawnee Mission East (14-8) after rolling through Lawrence High at home 13-3 in last week’s regional championship. It’ll be the fourth time this year that Free State will take the ...

Preps Notebook: Stewart ready for new challenge at UMKC; Free State, LHS sending 42 athletes to state

One key soccer storyline this season was Lawrence High senior goalkeeper Cree Stewart. Surpassing 500 saves during her junior season, Stewart’s recruitment exploded last summer and the soon-to-be LHS alumna committed to the University of Missouri-Kansas City last month. LHS coach Joe Comparato’s second season with LHS (1-14-0) doesn't quite shine off the page, but it demonstrated a young club’s ...

Baker softball off to its first NAIA World Series

The Baker softball team is headed for its first NAIA World Series after defeating top-seeded College of Idaho in the final game of the NAIA Softball Opening Round on Wednesday. Heading into Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Yotes, the No. 2-seeded Wildcats were riding high. Despite being bounced from their conference tourney in the second round by Mount Mercy, they had won four of their last five, ...